R50m appeal to forward food to most vulnerable
NATIONAL non-profit organisation FoodForward SA is launching a R50 million appeal to extend its outreach footprint and get food to a wider network as part of its national crisis preparedness plan to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups.
The organisation sources, collects, and stores edible surplus food from the supply chain and redistributes this food via 670 NPOs and charities across the country to over 250 000 people a day, including rural communities.
FoodForward SA managing director Andy Du Plessis said: “We’ve prepared a detailed needs list with associated costs and are appealing to all sectors of our society and consulting with the government, retailers, manufacturers and farmers to answer this very real need at a time when the most vulnerable in our country are at risk.
“While South Africa prepares for a 21-day lock-down, we are scaling-up our operations in rural communities to secure food provisions for the next six months for our most at-risk groups, including people living with HIV/Aids and TB patients. ”
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the provision of sufficient, diverse and nutritious food is key in strengthening people’s immune system and increasing their capacity to cope with diseases.
“We hope to increase our food provisions nationally, and to fast-track new beneficiary applications that focus on vulnerable groups including preschool and school-aged children where they can access a meal.”
FoodForward SA’s Covid-19 appeal will enable it to invest in infrastructure and essential resources to establish more capacity to collect, store and deliver surplus and donated non-perishable food products to existing and new beneficiaries.
Donations to FoodForward SA are tax deductible. To make a donation or for more information visit: www. foodforwardsa.org/donate-2/